- Subaru is surveying U.S. owners about manual SUVs.
- The Outback Wilderness was mentioned specifically.
- Any return would depend on broader buyer demand.
Aside from the WRX and BRZ, Subaru’s lineup has quietly gone fully automatic. For a brand long associated with practical all-wheel-drive cars and loyal enthusiasts, that shift has not gone unnoticed. However, that may be about to change, as Subaru appears to be exploring the idea of reintroducing a manual transmission in its SUVs.
Read: More Subaru WRX Buyers Opt For A Manual Than Porsche GT3 Drivers, Let That Sink In
Many Subaru owners in the United States were recently invited to complete a brand survey. One question stood out: “Would you consider purchasing a manual transmission SUV in the future?” Respondents could choose from Definitely, Probably, Maybe, Probably Not, or Definitely Not.
Gauging Interest In Three Pedals
A screenshot of the question was recently shared on the Subaru subreddit. . Another user shared an image of a similar prompt from their survey, though this one was slightly more specific. “If a manual transmission was available, how interested would you be in having this feature on your Outback Wilderness?” it asked.
Subaru currently offers a stick shift only on the BRZ and WRX, and since 2023, it has not sold an SUV with a manual. The last manual Subaru SUV was the Crosstrek. In addition, it’s been more than a decade since the Outback was last available with a manual, and it would be quite shocking if Subaru were to offer one in the near future.
A survey like this is an important first step in gauging customer interest, but it’s far from confirmation that Subaru will actually make it happen. While some existing owners and enthusiasts may be receptive to the idea, the company would likely need to ensure that regular shoppers are also intrigued by a manual transmission, especially for a vehicle like the Outback. If not, justifying the development costs could be challenging.
